Hosted by International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

India Volunteer Programs from $18/day | Most Affordable & Trusted

Name: India Volunteer Programs from $18/day | Most Affordable & Trusted
Brand: International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ
SKU: 20972
Rating: 4.94 (114 reviews)

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4.94 Rating

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Location

India
- Delhi

Length

1 to 24 weeks

Project Types

Childcare Street Children Youth Education Teaching Health Medical Women's Rights

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Program Details

Language

English

Timeframe

Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round

Housing

Apartment Guesthouse

Travel Type

Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price

275

Price Details

Fully hosted experience from only $275 for 1 week - this includes accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.

What's Included

Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Meals Wifi

What's Not Included

Airfare Travel Insurance Visa

Last Updated: May 01, 2024

Last Reviewed: Apr 02, 2024

Wish List

99 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 136,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in India and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 6 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in India.

Our affordable projects start from $18/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-24 weeks. Choose from 12 projects, ranging from providing education to young children in Delhi on the Teaching project to shadowing doctors in Kerala's world class healthcare system on the Medical project. Plus, you’ll stay with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

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Consider your impact: Volunteering abroad can be a rewarding experience for both volunteers and local communities, and at Go Overseas, we believe all volunteers should have the resources to make informed decisions about the type of volunteer project they want to partake in. However, despite best intentions, some organizations offering placements in orphanages may unknowingly place children in danger. You can read about the potential dangers of orphanage volunteering here. Learn more about how International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ is promoting ethical volunteering.

Video and Photos

IVHQ Medical volunteer in India with IVHQ

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Program Highlights

Cheapest volunteer programs from $18/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
Volunteer for 1-24 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays
15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization
Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy
Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

Popular Programs

Childcare Volunteer in Delhi, India

Join us in making a life-changing impact on the future of India's young children. International Volunteer HQ's Childcare project in Delhi empowers caring and enthusiastic volunteers to provide crucial assistance to under-resourced childcare centers in Faridabad. With a high demand for volunteer assistance due to poverty and illness, your efforts can make all the difference for children aged 4-8 from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Medical Volunteer in Kerala, India

Experience India's world-class healthcare system firsthand as a Medical volunteer in Kerala with International Volunteer HQ. Shadow respected doctors and nurses, observe consultations and surgeries, and gain valuable insights into the medical field. While most work will be observational, medical and nursing students may have opportunities to assist with basic tasks. Join us in making a difference in healthcare access and improving patient outcomes.

Slum Teaching Volunteer in Delhi, India

Millions of vulnerable street children in India lack access to basic education. International Volunteer HQ’s Slum Teaching project empowers volunteers to make a meaningful impact on the lives of disadvantaged children by providing access to education and new opportunities. As a Slum Teacher, you'll lead classes of 5-11 year olds with limited supervision and bring new perspectives to the local community.

Special Needs Care Volunteer in Kerala, India

Volunteer in Special Needs Care to help children with disabilities in India. Many families face social stigma and struggle to provide adequate care and education. You can provide educational assistance to students aged 2-22 in schools and care facilities. Local carers provide support as students have limited English. Make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Physical Therapy Volunteer in Kerala, India

As a Physical Therapy volunteer in India, you'll assist a licensed physiotherapist in providing top-quality care to clients. This project focuses on patient care, and placements are typically based in local clinics with home visits as well. You'll have the chance to learn and contribute to healthcare development in Kerala, while exchanging your skills with grateful communities. Your tasks will vary based on project needs and your qualifications.

Women's Empowerment Volunteer in India

Volunteer in Women's Empowerment in India to help local women build skills beyond English. Assist in embroidery and computer sessions using donated equipment. Volunteers help with lesson planning, documentation, and session support, with guidance from the local team. Come prepared with teaching ideas and activities to incorporate into lessons.

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating

based on 114 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Volunteer

5 rating 93.86%
4 rating 6.14%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Impact 4.8
Support 4.9
Fun 4.9
Value 4.8
Safety 4.95

Good for Solo Travelers, Students, Adventure travelers

Showing 9 - 16 of 114 reviews

I had the most incredible time volunteering solo with IVHQ in Kerala, India. The pre-trip guidance was excellent with detailed explanations and expectations set clearly from the get-go. The women’s empowerment project and teaching at a local school were both incredibly rewarding. The staff at the local volunteer house were friendly and professional. The volunteer house was clean and safe. I met like-minded people and learnt so much about India, the culture and had so much fun! Thank you so much IVHQ

I volunteered with IVHQ for the Slum Teaching Program in India. They allowed me to volunteer for the time I had available - 1 week - in my time off from work at the end of the year. During this experience I got to stay with a host family, volunteer at a local school, get to know the children there, and also see sights in Delhi each evening. It was a very smooth trip, thanks to their preparation, training, and suggestions that are part of the program. I had a memorable and very valuable experience. I am very glad I chose IVHQ.

Pros

Steps for safe travel were outlined for participants prior to departure
All transportation and food were provided, duration of stay
Volunteer program had other traveling participants to share the experience with

My 14 year old daughter and I had the most incredible time volunteering with IVHQ in Kerala, India. The preparation before the trip was excellent with step by step guide to making the most out of the trip. The staff at the local volunteer house were so friendly and professional. The volunteer house was spacious, clean and comfortable. The project at a local school was incredibly rewarding. We really enjoyed teaching the gorgeous children. We met so many wonderful people and learnt so much about India, the culture and had so much fun! 10/10, thank you IVHQ!

Pros

Giving back to the community
Learning about a new culture
Fun

The experience was fantastic! Lovely host families, friendly staff and great inductions. The other volunteers there were all from different backgrounds but were excellent company through the trip! Definitely planning on going on another journey with IVHQ!

I was looked after well by the staff, who gave us an engaging introduction and was able to recommend places to check out in the evenings. Personally the highlight of my trip was travelling round and seeing the temples / tombs etc with other volunteers - some of the nicest people I have met and all from different interesting backgrounds and countries. Going out in Delhi to experience the nightlife was also brilliant, and the host families were very accommodating of this and allowed us to stay out (Thanks Rocky and Sarita!).

I have already decided to go on another trip with IVHQ later this year, truly a phenomenal experience I was initially quite sceptical about volunteering abroad, being my trip of that nature and first time in India - but I'm so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone and would 100% recommend this to anyone.

Pros

Host families extremely friendly and accomodating
Plenty of time to explore Delhi (stunning) / other areas of India
Everyone else on the program was super friendly (I was 18 at the time of travelling, whereas everyone else was ~26 but it genuinely didn't make any difference - had an absolutely phenomenal time!)

Cons

Outside restaurant food can sometimes be spicy (make sure to check!)
Personally wish I stayed longer!

I highly recommend IVHQ to anybody looking for travelling first time, it's affordable, easy to sign up and just for anyone looking for new experiences outside their comfort zone. My time on the Kerela programme in India was a terrific first experience where accessibility, help and support was offered regularly to make me feel comfortable along the way so i could feel the most prepared. It's perfect for new time travellers who need that push to try solo travelling, and this programme supports your learning and exploring of new people and cultures.
Thank you!!

Pros

Meet new people
Opportunity to learn a new culture
Independence opportunity

Cons

Lack of free time to explore
More organised lesson planning was needed
more activities should be included

I had been worried would I be able to do it, was so wrong I had great feedback from the students and staff.
Wasn’t really sure sure what I’d need to do, felt woman empowerment programme was vague as there wasn’t really a framework, but by the second week, felt much clearer about how it all worked.
Felt very safe
Great food and very friendly staff. Easy to get about. Encouraged to explore the area and immerse myself into the culture.
No regrets other than wished I’d volunteered years ago!!!!!!!

Pros

Improved confidence
Fun
Educational

Cons

Bunk beds
Would have liked bit more info about sessions

I am very grateful for having been able to volunteer in India with IVHQ. The program was very well organized and the accommodation and food were great.
With IVHQ you have the opportunity to not only experience a new country and culture, but also to make a positive and lasting impact on the local community. To share experiences with the local people and meet lots of new friends with your fellow volunteers from all over the world.
It was a very valuable learning experience for both me and the students of my class and I would definetely recommend IVHQ to everyone who is looking to volunteer abroad.

Pros

Excellent food and accommodation
Make a positive impact on the local community
Experience a new country and culture

Taught English and Woman Empowerment in Kerala , India .
Terrific experience in improving students English abilities . A lot of constructive time spent discussing the differences in Western and Indian culture and customs .
Teaching in this country enabled me to learn so much about this great country as we proceeded to explore different aspects of life . Areas covered included cost of living differences , family life and the strong family commitment , arranged marriages and music .Teaching English in slum area of Cochin and engaging with the children. Also found time to visit Mumbai and the Golden Triangle . Great country and people.

Pros

Understanding culture
Great students
Visiting this fantastic country

Cons

ATM machines erratic

Questions & Answers

Is there an age limit? I'm 53!

Nope! When I was in India, our orientation group had volunteers of various ages!

By Leah Harper on November 10, 2017

How much money do I need for this trip?

It all depends how long you are staying for, while volunteering you do get meals with the families you stay with but some may not like the food and want to eat out, generally India is one of the cheapest places you can visit, if you are purely just going to volunteer and don't intend doing any other activities which is doubtful in India then you won't need much at all, if you are the type to live...

By Brian Hutchings on January 17, 2017

See all 4 answers

What is the price per week?

I took a look and you can find the price breakdown for both programs in India below. Hope that helps!

By Carly Freeman on August 26, 2016

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I have wanted to travel and do volunteer trips abroad for as long as I can remember. I never thought I would be able to afford them, but then I found IVHQ! I decided to go for it.

I chose India because I was intrigued by the culture and diversity of the country. I thought, why not fly across the world for my first time abroad?!

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

IVHQ did a great job at preparing me for my time in India. Once you get accepted to a program and pay the registration fee, you receive a destination-specific booklet that provides you with information about the country and how to prepare, pack, and what to expect. It covers everything from what to wear to how to be safe.

In addition, there is an online volunteer training that helps you with the basics of volunteering abroad. There is a point of contact in charge of your program as well, and they are available by email or phone to answer any questions you have in the preparation process. IVHQ organizes your accommodation and airport pickup.

On my own, I really only had to organize my flight to/from India and my transportation to the airport at the end of my trip.

View Entire Interview

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Honestly, just be open-minded to the experience. Know that you are going to experience a world very different than your own, and that is something beautiful. Not knowing what IVHQ, India, volunteering in a third world country, or international flying was like was scary, but amazing. I'm glad I had no idea what to expect. Granted, I still did lots of research, read reviews, articles, and the booklet in order to learn about India.

The only thing I can think of that I wish I had known ahead of time was how much free time there was. I did not realize how much I would want to travel outside of the placement. I only went to a few cities near Delhi, but wish I had gone to more.

If you are thinking about going overseas, you have already taken the first step: considering something outside of your comfort zone. You might have already started dreaming up places to go. Go! This trip helped me see/learn things I would never have before. And it made me realize that traveling is possible for me.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The week days are dedicated to your project (ex: Childcare, Teaching, Medical, Environmental, Construction, etc.), but you typically do not have your project all hours of the day, every day. You have breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided at your homestay unless you choose to go out for food.

Also, there is time to travel and explore locally. Weekends are typically when volunteers travel to destinations farther away. Volunteers can choose to stay local and go to their project on weekends as well.

IVHQ programs are flexible with how you spend your time. However, keep in mind what you are there for and what your intentions are. Exploring the country is amazing, but staying local and focusing on your volunteering is just as great!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I had many fears and anxieties about the trip, so my biggest fear was probably the whole trip in itself. I kept thinking of everything that could go wrong. I was particularly scared of being in a plane for so long.

By going through with the trip, I overcame these fears. I have never been the most independent person, so this trip taught me a lot about myself and who I want to be.

What is something you learned in India that is important to you?

Probably to love more. To treat people like family. We are all human beings; we just grow up in different worlds, lifestyles, cultures, places, etc. I learned a lot from the Indian people I talked to.

Nicola Sloane

2016 Alum

Camille Harward

2016 Alum

T Coleman

2016 Alum

Maggie To

Michaela Collins

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What position do you hold at IVHQ? What has been your career path so far?

I oversee risk and sustainability at IVHQ. We know that two of the most important things to our volunteers are feeling confident that they’ll be supported to stay safe, and being sure that they’ll be able to make a worthwhile contribution while abroad. We also know that having a focus on social and environmental sustainability is not only good for communities and the planet, but is also good for IVHQ long-term.

My career path so far has been in sustainability roles for telecommunications and media companies in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. I’ve been lucky to work on some really inspiring projects in my career and these have given me a good background in creating and running initiatives that make a real difference in communities and have a positive impact on the environment. IVHQ is a great place for me to expand this experience.

What about the future of the industry? How do you think volunteer abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?

The concept of volunteering abroad has evolved quickly over the last 10 years and I expect it’ll change even faster over the next 10. Those people wanting to travel abroad and volunteer in a community no longer have to commit to a two year Peace Corps program and I’m proud of role that IVHQ has played in making volunteering much more affordable and accessible to travelers all over the world.

Over the next 10 years I predict we’ll see two big trends:

Community expectations will change. I think the communities that host volunteers will expect both more and less from volunteers in the future. Communities and projects that were typically very poorly supported by local states and other social structures historically appreciated whatever additional support volunteers were able to bring, but we’re already seeing this change. Community partners in the future will expect less in terms of the kind of transformative investments and skills exchange that may have been sought previously but they will expect more from volunteers in terms of their cultural awareness, responsible behavior and their ability to inject new ideas that stimulate innovation and enterprise. Communities in the future will see volunteers as sources of creativity, diverse ideas and youthful challenge, rather than as sources of hands-on labor.
Volunteer expectations will change. We’re already seeing volunteer expectations changing and they will continue to shift significantly over the next 10 years. We’ve always had a big focus on transparency in relation to our fees and we know that volunteers will continue to expect a greater level of openness about where and how a volunteer travel provider spends any money that they pay for the experience - and rightly so. I also think volunteers will expect more in terms of understanding the long-term impact that they are contributing to and again I think this is a good thing. The generation of travelers that will be most influential over the next 10 years are more socially and environmentally conscious than those before them and they’ll demand greater clarity around how their time abroad genuinely makes a long-term impact. Of course, this goes both ways and volunteer travel providers will have to get smarter about how they manage and shape volunteer expectations before they head abroad. We already actively support people to create expectations that help them to be responsible and valuable volunteers abroad. We do this through our pioneering online training tools.

The volunteer travel organizations who understand how to balance these shifting community and volunteer expectations properly will become the most preferred options for responsible travelers over the next 10 years.

View Entire Interview

Every member of the IVHQ team plays an important part of our commitment to being a certified B Corp, and I’m proud to be involved.

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of the team.

I’ve been a part of the IVHQ team for around two years and I’ve always been proud to be involved. We’re an organization made up of young, ambitious people who are all motivated by enabling travelers to make a contribution to community projects, so it’s pretty easy to feel inspired at work!

But one time recently that I’ve felt especially proud to be a part of IVHQ was when we became a certified B Corporation. We’ve always measured our success differently so earning a B Corp certification in 2015 was recognition that our commitment to communities and environmental sustainability is making an impact. B Corps have to meet to rigorous standards and I was proud to find that many of these standards were already things that were important to IVHQ. For instance, we already measure and manage our environmental footprint, our service actively supports those in need, and we get stuck-in and contribute to the community where the IVHQ head office is based.

What is the best story you've heard from a return volunteer?

To me the best stories are always those that show the impact that a volunteer abroad experience can have on someone’s life direction. We constantly hear tales of former IVHQers who have changed their study or career direction dramatically as a result volunteering with us, and I love that because it means that we having an impact on people and helping them to think differently about what they want to do with their lives.

The best story I’ve heard from a returning volunteer was from a women who volunteered with IVHQ in Nepal back in 2011. Following her IVHQ experience she changed the direction of her life dramatically and founded a not-for-profit organisation which supports local health initiatives in Nepal. To date her organisation has invested more than US$70,000 into upskilling local Nepali people to deliver healthcare training in remote areas of the country, and her work is a good example of responsible community investment.

In my view there is nothing better than volunteering abroad for challenging your mindset and finding inspiration.

Daniel Radcliffe

Location

Location:

Delhi

Currency:

Indian Rupee

Weather:

Jan-Mar

77 F / 41 F

Apr-Jun

77 F / 68 F

Jul-Sep

113 F / 77 F

Oct-Dec

86 F / 68 F

Airports:

Indira Gandhi International Airport

( DEL )

Delhi is a metropolitan area in the north of India, and holds the urban district of New Delhi where the nation's capital and three branches of government reside.

About International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) brings people together from all walks of life to make a difference on the adventure of a lifetime. We offer the world’s #1 rated and largest range of volunteer programs with 300+ projects across 40+ countries - from teaching and working with children to medical missions, conservation and wildlife volunteering. For...

Program Details

Pricing

Program Highlights

Childcare Volunteer in Delhi, India 

Medical Volunteer in Kerala, India 

Slum Teaching Volunteer in Delhi, India 

Special Needs Care Volunteer in Kerala, India 

Physical Therapy Volunteer in Kerala, India 

Women's Empowerment Volunteer in India 

Alumni Interviews

Leah Harper

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

What is something you learned in India that is important to you?

Staff Interviews

Ben Brown

What position do you hold at IVHQ? What has been your career path so far?

What about the future of the industry? How do you think volunteer abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of the team.

What is the best story you've heard from a return volunteer?

Childcare Volunteer in Delhi, India

Medical Volunteer in Kerala, India

Slum Teaching Volunteer in Delhi, India

Special Needs Care Volunteer in Kerala, India

Physical Therapy Volunteer in Kerala, India

Women's Empowerment Volunteer in India